VATICAN CITY, AUG. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- It's not necessary to be a saint to be called to follow Christ, says Benedict XVI.
Addressing a crowd of 8,000 gathered for today's general audience in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father presented the example of St. Matthew, a tax collector who was invited by Christ to be one of his 12 Apostles.
"This meant for him abandoning everything, especially a sure source of income, though often unjust and dishonorable," said the Pope.
"Obviously Matthew understood that familiarity with Jesus did not allow him to continue with activities disapproved of by God," added the Pontiff.
Benedict XVI said: As well even "today one cannot admit attachment to what is incompatible with the following of Jesus, as are dishonest riches."
The Pontiff then quoted Jesus' words of 2000 years ago, which he says are equally important today: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21).
"This is precisely what Matthew did: He rose and followed him! In this 'rising' one can see the detachment from a situation of sin and, at the same time, the conscious adherence to a new life, upright, in communion with Jesus," said the Pope.
No exclusions
Jesus' call to Matthew is particularly significant, the Holy Father said, if one takes into account that tax collectors were regarded, in the historical context in which Jesus lived, as public sinners.
"There is a fact that calls attention: Jesus excludes no one from his friendship," stated the Bishop of Rome.
Benedict XVI continued: "The good proclamation of the Gospel consists precisely in this: in the offering of God's grace to the sinner!"
"With the figure of Matthew, therefore, the Gospels present us an authentic paradox: He who seems farthest from holiness might well become a model of acceptance of God's mercy enabling one to glimpse its marvelous effects in his life," said the Pope.
The Holy Father's catechesis continued with the series of reflections on the Twelve Apostles, and on the origins of the Church. In recent weeks he has commented on the Apostles Peter, Andrew, James the Less, James the Elder and John.
The audience was held in the Vatican due to the large number of pilgrims, who could not be accommodated in the courtyard of the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope is spending the rest of the summer.
